What kinda BS is this! - Page 5 - ThinnerTimes

astona · 03-10-2008, 09:45 AM

the hospital I am going to bills 46k for the hospital, 8k for the surgeon and about 2k for other stuff.... thank god we have insurance

brainiak20 · 03-11-2008, 08:21 AM

I'd say pay the $400. I have a $2000 deductible with my current insurance. My previous insurance provider (which ended Dec. 31 of last year)...well that had a deductible too that didn't get met. Well most of all of my tests, appointments, yadda yadda yadda...well they were only partially covered. So I horked well over $1500 of apointments, my sleep apnea machine, some blood tests. So be greatful that it's only $400! I'll probably end up paying close to $4000 by the time everything is over and done with.

But I'll tell you one thing...it's going to be the best $4000 I've EVER spent!!!

fotoman54 · 03-11-2008, 11:04 AM

Well your lucky not to be out here in Washington it $1500 for what you are paying $400 for.

sherry7 · 04-11-2008, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgh3rivers

Sign up for the classes and ask for the payment plan. I am in the classes and I am irritated that I had to spend $400 to be in them. The classes are disorganized and understaffed. I am told they will make sure my insurance approves the surgery so- I guess I am happy. I figure if its what I need to do to get approved then so be it.

My cousin used the UPMC surgeons but did he pro-op stuff with her pcp. You don't have to use UPMC's weight management program.

I'm glad I'm not the only way who feels this way about the classes at Magee...I thought maybe I was just too picky or something. I'm actually doing the private classes instead of the group classes, but there doesn't seem to be a "lesson plan", so to speak. You'd think private would be better than group classes, but I'm not sure about that. I really just did it because it was easier to schedule around work, but it cost me an extra $100 to do private.

The dietician (Melinda) is okay, and has given me some inspiration, but honestly she hasn't taught me anything that I didn't already know from reading the forums here. She did give me an important "kick in the ass" when I gained a couple of lbs in between visits last fall. (After reading your posts with the problem you're having because of the small weight gain, I'm glad she "yelled" at me). But the exercise physiologist, or whatever she's called, is basically a wasted appointment. The really helpful thing is all of the books, etc that they gave me to read, IMO.

pgh3rivers · 04-11-2008, 07:07 AM

I wish Melinda was my dietician! The classes are a disappointment. I made my mom attend with me last time. She was shocked at how boring and pointless they were. I got weighted and then someone spoke for 20 minutes and then we were dismissed. I can't believe they charge for it. Oh well, I am almost done and am glad they will be over soon.

In my opinion just because someone can't afford the $400 price tag right away doesn't mean they should not have surgery. When I was a student a I couldn't afford an amount like that. I was laid off a few weeks ago. Luckily I had a decent job and can continue to support myself without going into debt or have to forgo healthcare. My employer has offered health care to me free of charge for several months. I have friends who have been laid off in the last couple weeks. $400 for them would be too much at this time.

My cousin was student teaching when she started her six months. There was no way she could afford the classes. So she used her PCP. She had surgery. A year later she has lost a 100 pounds, has a full time job and is financially comfortable. Situations change.

sherry7 · 04-12-2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgh3rivers

I wish Melinda was my dietician! The classes are a disappointment. I made my mom attend with me last time. She was shocked at how boring and pointless they were. I got weighted and then someone spoke for 20 minutes and then we were dismissed. I can't believe they charge for it. Oh well, I am almost done and am glad they will be over soon.....

I'm all done with my classes now, and just had the very last of my tests as well. So, as soon as my last test result is received, it's off to insurance approval for me. The six months (actually seven months, because I skipped December because I was in Europe) have actually seemed to go by pretty quickly. Except for now, right when I'm down to the very last stages, time is CRAWLING by....I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas, lol.

Who do you have for your dietician? Not sure, but you can probably request a change to Melinda if you wanted to. She's very accessible too....she even gave me her phone number and email address to contact her if need be.

If you don't mind me asking, how are you doing with the 10 or 15 lbs you needed to lose for surgery approval? How much longer to you have to lose it? Best of luck.